Neuropsychological Profiles in Patients With Restrictive or Binge/Purge Subtype Eating Disorders: A Continuum...

Eating disorders (EDs) are associated with neuropsychological inefficiencies across diagnoses. A transdiagnostic approach may help clarify how neuropsychological factors contribute to ED psychopathology. This study aimed to investigate the neuropsychological profiles in patients with restrictive or binge/purge subtype of EDs.

Sixty-nine patients with restrictive or binge/purge subtype of EDs participated. Neuropsychological functioning was assessed using a comprehensive battery of tests. Neuropsychological outcomes were compared between the two groups, and with normative scores. Multiple linear regression was used to investigate potential predictors of neuropsychological inefficiencies.

The subgroups displayed similar performance on most cognitive measures. Compared to normative scores inefficiencies related to central coherence, impulsivity, and self-reported executive functioning difficulties were observed in both groups. In addition, the restrictive subgroup demonstrated better set-shifting abilities, while the binge/purge subgroup excelled on a planning task. A significant association was found between depressive symptoms and self-reported executive function difficulties, but not with performance-based measures.

The findings suggest similar cognitive inefficiencies across ED subtypes. However, each group demonstrated some distinct cognitive strengths compared to normative scores. Findings underscore discrepancies between performance-based and self-reported executive functioning assessment, raising questions about ecological validity, and the distinctiveness of cognitive measures in this population.

The current study utilises baseline data from a randomised controlled trail (ClinicalTrials.gov Id: NCT03808467).